Michelle Duppong
Stored in Cargo: Michelle Duppong
| Michelle Duppong | |
| Feast Day | None established |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Unofficial popular: young adults, evangelizers, those suffering cancer, joy in suffering (pending cause) |
| Birthplace | Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States |
| Death Place | Haymarsh (family farm), North Dakota, United States |
| Cause of Death | Ovarian cancer (natural causes) |
| Primary Shrine | None official; family farm in Haymarsh and Bismarck sites of devotion |
Servant of God Michelle Duppong (full name Michelle Christine Duppong) was an American lay Catholic woman, known for her joyful evangelization, missionary work with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), and service as Director of Adult Faith Formation in the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota. According to diocesan records, FOCUS testimonies, and biographical sources, she was born on January 25, 1984, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, to Ken and Mary Ann Duppong (née Wanner), and moved at age one to a family farm in Haymarsh, North Dakota, where she grew up in a devout Catholic household with five siblings, attending Mass at the rural St. Clement Oratory.
Evidence from Church sources indicates she graduated from Glen Ullin High School in 2002 and earned a degree in horticulture from North Dakota State University in 2006. During college, she encountered FOCUS and served as a missionary for six years (approximately 2006–2012), ministering on campuses in the Midwest, including forming deep friendships and discipling students in faith. In 2012, she became Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bismarck, coordinating conferences, retreats, and outreach. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer on December 29, 2014, she endured the illness with docility and joy, offering her suffering united to Christ. She died peacefully on December 25, 2015 (Christmas Day), at age 31, surrounded by family in her childhood home in Haymarsh.
The cause for her beatification and canonization was formally opened by Bishop David D. Kagan of Bismarck on June 15–16, 2022, with the diocesan phase of investigation beginning thereafter. On November 1, 2022, she was declared Servant of God following the USCCB canonical consultation in November 2022 affirming advancement of the cause. As of January 23, 2026, the diocesan inquiry continues (involving witness testimonies, writings, and evidence of heroic virtue), with FOCUS serving as petitioner at the bishop's request. No miracles have been publicly authenticated for beatification, and she remains at the Servant of God stage. A 2024 documentary, *Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story*, profiles her life. She is proposed as a model of Eucharistic joy, friendship evangelization, and offering suffering for souls. This reflects current Church processes and diocesan/FOCUS documentation, but consult primary sources (Diocese of Bismarck or the Servant of God Michelle Duppong Guild) for updates, as the cause is ongoing.
Biography
Birth
According to diocesan and family records, Servant of God Michelle Duppong was born on January 25, 1984, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, into a large Catholic farming family.[1]
Evidence suggests her move to Haymarsh, North Dakota, at age one shaped a rural, faith-centered upbringing.
Early Life
Michelle grew up on the family farm in Haymarsh, attending Glen Ullin High School (graduated 2002) and participating actively in parish life at St. Clement Oratory.[2]
Historical accounts note her love for gardening, animals, and family prayer, though personal details derive partly from family testimonies.
Occupation
After earning a horticulture degree from North Dakota State University in 2006, Michelle served as a FOCUS missionary (2006–2012), evangelizing college students through discipleship and friendship.[3]
From 2012 until her death, she was Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bismarck, organizing events and retreats.
Vocation
Michelle's vocation as a laywoman emphasized missionary discipleship, Eucharistic devotion, and offering daily life to Christ. Her suffering from cancer was united to Christ's Passion for souls.
According to witnesses, she lived with profound joy and thirst for evangelization, though internal spiritual life details remain from testimonies.
Death
Servant of God Michelle Duppong met her end from ovarian cancer on December 25, 2015, at age 31, in her childhood home in Haymarsh, North Dakota.[4]
Historical records note she faced illness with peace and resignation, continuing to inspire others until the end.
Significant events
- Born January 25, 1984, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
- Family moved to Haymarsh, North Dakota (1985).
- Graduated North Dakota State University (2006).
- Served as FOCUS missionary (2006–2012).
- Appointed Director of Adult Faith Formation, Diocese of Bismarck (2012).
- Diagnosed with ovarian cancer (December 29, 2014).
- Died December 25, 2015.
- Cause opened by Bishop David Kagan (June 2022).
- Declared Servant of God (November 1, 2022).
- USCCB affirms advancement (November 2022).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States
Death location: Haymarsh (family farm), North Dakota, United States
Notable location: College years and initial FOCUS encounter (North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota)
Notable location:
Notable location: Director of Adult Faith Formation (2012–2015) (Diocese of Bismarck Chancery / offices, Bismarck, North Dakota)
Notable location: Childhood home, place of death, and family spiritual roots (St. Clement Oratory / family farm, Haymarsh, North Dakota)
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
| Servant of God Michelle Duppong |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
No results
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
This will pull in related Shrines.
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
No official shrines designated under Canon 1230 as of January 23, 2026, as the cause is in the diocesan phase. Popular devotion occurs at:
Family farm / St. Clement Oratory area, Haymarsh
- The rural family farm and nearby St. Clement Oratory in Haymarsh, North Dakota, mark her childhood, spiritual roots, and place of death. Not bishop-designated as a shrine but site of remembrance and prayer.
- Pilgrimage details: Informal family and devotee visits; Diocese of Bismarck.
- Fact: Location of her peaceful death on Christmas 2015.
Diocese of Bismarck offices / Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
- Sites in Bismarck associated with her work as Director of Adult Faith Formation; occasional Masses or talks in her memory.
- Pilgrimage details: Bismarck; Diocese of Bismarck.
- Fact: Where she served from 2012–2015.
Canonization
Servant of God
The diocesan investigation opened in June 2022 under Bishop David D. Kagan; declared Servant of God on November 1, 2022, after USCCB consultation (November 2022).[5]
Venerable
No declaration as of January 23, 2026 (diocesan phase ongoing).
Beatification
No beatification; requires completion of diocesan inquiry, transfer to Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and authenticated miracle.
Canonization
No canonization.
Miracles
No authenticated miracles reported or required at this stage. The guild and diocese collect reports of graces/favors through intercession.
Patronage
Unofficial popular devotion as intercessor for young adults, FOCUS missionaries, those with cancer, and joyful evangelization.
Feast day
None established.
Veneration
Servant of God Michelle Duppong is venerated informally through the Michelle Duppong Guild (promoting her story, collecting intercession reports), the 2024 documentary *Radiating Joy*, and talks by family/FOCUS. No relics or official shrines yet. Her witness influences reflections on lay holiness, joy amid suffering, and friendship evangelization.
Books
Written about the saint
- Featured in FOCUS publications and articles (e.g., Catholic Mom, Eucharistic Revival).
- Documentary *Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story* (2024).
Written by the saint
- Private writings and letters compiled in the cause; no major published works.